Why do we love competing so much?

We enjoy competing because it lets us test ourselves against others, learn and see ourselves improve. Games offer a safe setting for that rivalry, with rules we all agree to and no serious consequences if we lose.

A challenge that feels just right

Psychologists talk about the satisfaction of taking on a challenge that is neither too easy nor impossible. A game against someone of a similar skill level offers exactly that. When you win by a whisker or lose despite playing well, you feel you have risen to the challenge.

Competing to connect

It might sound contradictory, but competition brings people together. The friendly rivalries during a game at the pub or around the table after a meal are a way to connect, tease each other affectionately and gather stories to tell. We explore this in what happens in the brain when we win.

Playing in pairs is something else

In games such as Mus (a partnership card game), Guiñote (a partnership card game) or Cuatrola (a partnership card game), you compete as a team. That is where cooperation comes in: understanding your partner, trusting them and sharing the work. You compete and cooperate at the same time, which is why these games build such strong bonds.

Competing without betting

The challenge is reward enough. That is precisely why we do not play for money at Lascuarenta: the fun lies in the game itself, not in what you might win beyond it. We explain this in why we are not a casino.